₦airaland Forum

BLWeb:
What does your Business Card say about Your Business?

I attended a business networking event few days ago and i had the opportunity to network with some small and medium scale business owners. I got to exchange business cards with these entrepreneurs while looking forward to do business with them.

The networking was not that extensive, we just had some few minutes to pitch to one another our products and services, so no one would be very sure of doing business with the other party. But we still exchanged business cards. This means if you ever want a chance to win a client from that party of business owners to yourself, they have to contact you through your business card.

So i got down looking through the cards i had with me to see which business excites me incase i had to deal with any one of them for my personal benefits and on behalf of my clients, today or in the near future. Honestly, i wasn't quite moved emotionally to contact each one for business. This bland experience of non-excitement was worrisome to me. But Why? When it was clear that these business cards are the main tool the business owners used to promote and project their businesses. The cards ought to be the main channel for proper and fruitful networking with other business owners. Then why did i feel so unexcited? It was clear these business cards were missing something - They were missing the USP - Unique Selling Point (or rather unique selling proposition).

Lets take a look at one example, while disregarding the graphic design and focusing on the essential details (names and other details have been changed)

JSSA Security and Protection Services

John Samuel
Director
234(0)7013456793
@johnsamuel

Security Guards, Armed Escort, Training, Consultancy

(at the back)

BBMPIN

Office Address

info@jssecurities.com
www.jssecurities.com

Like most business cards, that is how the traditional packaging is. Just provide channels of contact, name of business, address, website, email, and list of core services or products.

Now can you see in that business card above, it is missing the USP, the selling point that can trigger passion and emotions in the receiver of the card.

Now lets rewrite the card like this:

JSSA Security and Protection Services

John Samuel A.
Director
234(0)7013456793
@johnsamuela

[size=14pt]"We Passionately Protect the Important Things in Your Life"[/size]

Security Guards, Armed Escort, Training, Consultancy

(at the back)

BBMPIN

Office Address

info@jssasecurities.com
www.jssasecurities.com

You can see we have added one line of the USP in the card. Now how did you react to it? Did it stir up something inside of you? If you had this card with you, the usp would likely make you think about having security for the important things in your life, and there is a likely hood that when you need security services you would contact jssa securities. The USP can be more bolder than all the words and should have a larger font to give it a louder "voice".

Now you also need to know that you can pass a business card to another person. Imagine if you shared your business card which includes your well crafted USP in it, and people keep passing it around, there would be a high chance of securing clients as compared to the traditional type of business card designs that removes the focus from a well crafted USP. The one we are used to tells you to just put in your business details and you are fine

If you already have your business cards that has all the necessary information about your business but no USP yet, then redesign it and include a WELL THOUGHT OUT USP. If you are about creating one then don't disregard this powerful point which has a great potential to grow your business.

Thanks for reading

Marxxx:
As an undergraduate there are so many things going through your mind, you read about the economy and the frequent lose of job, mass sacking and all that then you tell yourself "I can't kill myself" the yoruba's have a funky way of saying it.
Let me tell you even at the height of US economic recession, when the manufacturing sector was at its nadir of misery, firms were still hiring so don't panic.
Building an International career requires discipline and determination. Your course of study doesn't matter much but a numerate discipline will always give you an edge. Let's see how we can build an International career from the scratch

1. Get a foreign work experience before you graduate. How is this possible? When your department organises a FUN TRIP please endeavour to attend if you don't have money go and borrow. Are You going there to have fun? No but it is an avenue for you to gain international work experience. Before the trip, browse any local agency or NGO around that part of the country where you guys will reside temporarily, volunteer to work with agency or NGO even if it is just for 5days....you can keep in touch with them later online. This is where your CV begins.... you will continually update your CV with the activities of the organisation even you didn't participate actively you are part of them at the end you can claim a 1 or 2 years Volunteering with them....(you have a foreign experience; even if it's Togo)

2 Strive to finish with a good grade. No matter the opposition a (1.1) is good but if you can get it, don't let the (2.1) slip away. Study like your life depends on it (of course it does), avoid distractions as much as possible. Study smart if the discipline doesn't interest you and you are hoping to seek another career path please read just to pass the exams with flying colours. (Study with past questions even when exam is not around the corner cram as much as possible; I knew I won't be a good fish farmer hence from day one I started cramming...the earlier the better)

3. Ensure you get a good internship position in a structured environment. This might be difficult but like I said you have to be DETERMINED "In Kanu's voice". There are organisations that I know that have internship slots almost all through the year...(SCB, P&G, KPMG, Oil and Gas etc). Don't wait until you graduate before you start hunting internship positions. Use your long vacations and SIWESfor internship not roaming about. If you successful spend 2-3 months on internship, in a structured environment, that is another 1 year work experience... ...We add that to our CV.....How do we get internship positions? Envisage when your long vacation will probably fall, start applying 2 months before that period. Send both Soft and Hard copies. Send the hard copy through courier services or Nipost. (I still use Nipost... ,..yeah! go to the post office use it. That is why your parents are paying taxes. You can list all the addresses of companies you want take them to nipost and start sending as many times as you wish....it is far cheaper) This way your application goes to the Hr unit and the appropriate person is viewing it. You might be lucky and get a call.

4. Learn a foreign Language. If you have like minds around 4 or 5 of you can tax yourselves raise a small amount of money (5-20k) hire a french teacher from one of the secondary schools around ( I got a diploma while serving and it's really giving me an edge at the office). Take it with passion. Or you can wait, while serving enrol for a french course and get a diploma. Bottom line, Ensure you learn french before pulling the khaki.

5. Participate in school activities. Join an NGO, or the Sport club (football, tennis, volley ball etc), quiz club etc....also join any reasonable association (state association etc)...Why are we joining? You are joining not because you love to (although it depends on the individual) , but because we need the leadership experience so Ensure you become an exco preferably the president. Even if it's a church activity. Now that is a section in our CV building. Ensure you get involved in at least 4 groups hold leadership position in at least two. Get the certificates and document properly.

6 Try to win a scholarship no matter how paltry the sum is. Even if it is baba ijebu scholarship. Registered or unregistered. At least get MTN scholarship (it's easier compared to shell et al) ....We will also incude this in our CV building....

7. If you are in a non numerate discipline you can register for the ATS stuff. ATS 1 & 2, is ok just to sharpen your business skill and get you familiar with business terms and basic management principles. (I got 1,2 and 3) while still in school or you get a software certification depends on your interest.....This will also be in your CV...

8. Finally, while serving ensure you get as many certification as possible no matter how useless the certification seems....Nim, HSE, pmp, Customer service....everything just ensure you get as much as possible.....(i used poly bag to carry my certification after Nysc )..pls just select some and include in your CV...if you put all, your may enter the 5th page lool...

With this CV you can apply to almost any international graduate programme. You can come to us ********, Mckinsey, SCB, you can go to the oil and gas, Heineken, IBM, BAT, Ericsson, Telecomms These are some of the places that can reward your hard work appropriately....before you start eyeing IMF, World Bank,Microsoft, Google, AFDB, UN, CBN et al.....

Now with all these imagine if an interviewer should ask you tell me about yourself?....he/she will be amazed....

Vinmayo, I don't know if you are still in school? this is how best I think I can Advise....!!!!

Cc: Davide470

DMerciful:
I bought the batteries zenith 200AH x 4 @ 52k each. The inverter is 40k then, maybe 50k now cos of dollar . The rack was about 15k. It is good to install with a stabilizer for protection.I use 5KVA stabilizer although I have it before....all in all about N273k

DMerciful:
In a month I normally use fuel worth N8000 to power my generator anytime there's power outage but since I bought my inverter more than a year ago, I spend averagely N500 per month. Yes..N500 averagely as I could go for 3months sometimes without putting on my gen. This backup system has been very helpful especially now that there is poor mains supply and fuel scarcity with exorbitant price. Those of you complaining of excessing estimated bill, you can get value for the bills you pay if you have a backup system since you'll massively utilize the mains when it is available provided you can have light at least once in two days.
Below is my 1.5kva sine wave inverter and 4batteries system.
Show us pics of your backup system and tell us how much you save from this arrangement per month.


Mods pls move to front page so Nigerians can be aware of alternative cost saving power

lemmy212:
There's 1000 crates of eggs available in different sizes at ikorodu lagos.
Only serious buyers should contact me.
Whatsapp :08020580424
Call me : 08034438255
Bbm pin : 2B96FC14
Email :lemmyherkym212@gmail.com

HsLBroker:
Buying or considering replacing your traditional windows with casement windows, these guides may be advantageous to you as a nairalander or a non nairalander.

We are all here to learn and reading this article now will give you an insight to some important things about Casement window which is one of the best most popular modern type of windows in World, other types of windows includes basement, bay, awning and louvers windows.

So let get started, let us share our ideals and experience as well.

Awning windows and Basement windows also look like casement windows but they are partially different in terms of installation but louvers windows are entirely different from all.

Casement windows are mostly made of aluminum.

In Nigeria we have different companies importing these products for making of these windows by the process called fabricating.

Tower Standard Aluminum is the best of all types of products imported to Nigeria, we also have thick imported.

The standard glass thickness for residential building is 5mm, you can choose to have a transparent glass, black, white or cream but all of this is a choice, but for security purpose the best one is the type that you can see people outside when you are inside in the afternoon or morning, but they can’t see you, they will only be looking at themselves as if it was a mirror they are seeing and in the night they can hardly see what is inside even when the light is on in the night expect the person is as close to the window as skin is closer to the bones in our body.

Casement windows are usually hung vertically with an opening window hinged from the left or right side of the frame. The opener can be inward or outward, but is more commonly installed with the opening element moving in an outward motion. Windows which open inwardly are usually seen in residential apartments or buildings where security and safety are an issue of concern or paramount.

Due to the simple construction and stout, ruggedness, staunch and sturdy frame, casement windows are known to stand the test of time, compare to all major types of windows, without repairs or replacement.

The Crank is the controller locker of the opening and closing of the window unit, if the crank is not well fix or attach, or the material use is not standard, then the crank is likely to fail at a very short time.

The biggest market for these casement windows products is at Aluminum Village, Dopemu close to Egbeda in Lagos, Nigeria.

Casement windows can be embedded with net, and burglary so there is no need of doing a separate burglary proof or net, when you are considering casement windows for your project, though there are some people that love to have their casement windows and net embedded together while they do a separate burglary that will be install separately but at the end you will end up spending more money than you need to spend on a single window that will have a casement, burglary and net embedded together.

If you are considering the casement, burglary and net embedded in the iron rod that will be use inside the burglary pipe is 16mm.

Important things to consider are Reasonable Price, Efficiency, Zero Noise Cancellation, Available in Different Designs and Color, Ventilation.

Reasonable Price
Casement windows are one of the best priced windows types, I can categorically tell you that a casement windows measuring 4ft x 4ft or 1.2m x 1.2m with burglary and net embedded together is around N31, 000 to N32, 000 depend on the seller right now, without burglary is between N27, 000 to N28, 000 plus.

Efficiency
Casement windows are one of the most energy efficient windows, the sash which is the framework in which panes of glass are set in the window, when closed form a seal around the entire windows frame, reducing or zero cancelling the amount of Air Leakage which can pass between the inside and the outside space, so your air conditioners can attach uppermost coolest of the inside house.


Zero Noise Cancellation
Zero Noise penetration or cancellation from the outside space is another added value for you when you install a casement windows, so whatever you are saying inside your room will not leak outside and whatever noise outside can’t come inside especially when you leave beside a church or a mosque, please remember I’m an Atheist, lol.

Available in Different Designs and Color
Casement windows is available in various variety of finishes and colors designs with range of accessories such as chrome, vinyl or brass crank handles, you can also add a range of optional extra such as surface grills and lead grills this makes the casement windows more attractive to the eye and less plain looking like sliding windows.


Ventilation
Casement windows provide good ventilation and usually allow two way ventilation methods, one which allows you to open the windows full and the other which allows you to open the windows by a way of centimeters instead. Either of this option is good for letting air into your house, particularly in the hotter dry weather or summer season like the westerner use to say.

CC lalasticlala you know this important to nairalanders

mosesabah:
Lets take a look at dis top 10ways to increase ur CTR
1) You should make your Adsense ads look as a part of your web page. They shouldn't look like an Ad. People are negative to advertising. They search the internet for content not ads. Especially Banners have a less of 0,5% response. Their days are over. Imagine if you have an Adsense ad looking like the typical Banner with different colors. It will not be profitable.


2) Text ads are better than image ads. Like before, people are more responsive to text than images. In a way it is considered as a part of the online document and is more clickable.

3) No Border ads. One of the best tricks is to erase the borders of Adsense ads and make them again having the same color with your website's background.

4) No other advertisements. The first reason is to be legitimate according to Google's Rules and the second more practical reason is that you do not want to distract your visitor's attention and go somewhere else without clicking your Adsense ads.

5) Placement. Even if you have the best Ad, people will not respond if they don't see it instantly. The best place to see the ad is the top of your web page and the next is aside
your document's text. Visitors will click it more frequently since it will look like your text.

6) Traffic. Try to use legitimate ways of traffic. Some people use Google Adwords and other Pay per Click search engines. The problem here is to search very carefully for the right niche and keywords in order to make your campaigns profitable. Other ways is link popularity techniques like link exchange directories, software or even mass blog submission techniques. Don't use link farms and classifieds for that, because search engine's algorithms are extremely clever and they will ban your listings.


7) Do not rely on one website. Yes you can make money with one website but try to make as more as possible.


Relevant content is King. Articles are one of the best tactics to create huge websites that will be crawled by search engine's robots.
9) Use site maps. Google's site maps visit your site and crawl it much sooner that any other submission process. More information is here: http://www.google.com/webmasters/sitemaps

10) Relevant ads. It's one of the most important factors for Adsense success. If the internet user can't find relevant ad in your page he or she won't click the ad. Would you act differently? So it's critical to create relevant resource for your web page. In order to do that, you must do the following steps.

living2013:
Applying to different jobs with same CV is mostly unproductive. If you do this, don’t be surprised if you are not getting positive results. Every job position has a specific requirement. Tailoring your CV for each position you applied for could give you a better chance of landing that expected interview. Employers need qualified candidates that will be of great benefit to their business. If the information on your paper is cogent enough to meet up with their expectations, then you are in for a great deal.

To update CV successfully, the following steps can be put into consideration:
1. Review job description: Go through the job description of the position you intend to apply for. Access yourself and take note of your skills, experiences and education that is relevant which can make you an ideal candidate for the position.
2. Re-brand your career Objective or Profile: This section of your CV must be at the top. Rewrite and tailor it to the overall requirements of the position you are applying for. Use action words and chip in your education, experience and any important information in a brief.
3. Refresh SAEEXP Sections: Review your skills, Achievement, education & experiences (SAEEXP) and others extensively. Us the notes you have taken (step 1) as a guide to help you tailor the details of your qualifications to deal with each of the individual requirements laid out/expected in the job roles. Create bullet points that marry qualifications you’ve gained to date with each requirement of the role. Use laudable examples of your past experiences. If the job you want requires financial management, explain in detail about how you successfully managed finances of your previous employers.
4. Renew the Layout: Go through your CV’s layout thoroughly. Test different fonts and sizes, don’t use stylish font (I prefer New times, Ariel or Calibri). Stick to a basic layout that covers your contact details, skills, work experience, education and others in that order. It must be easy on the eye. Don’t use multiple colours and ensure that you do not leave too much white space on the page.
5. Review grammar and spelling: This must be done with absolute care. Go through the CV over and over again and check your spellings/grammar. You can as well get a second person (better of) to review it before your submission.

octopusfreaky:
yea very important,, i no dey eat nuts ooo,investigator007, pls produce another one wtout nuts..Nice Job Sir

Pavore9:
You sent the PM at 4:19 PM and l replied at 4:33 PM!

dahmie2013:
OK, so wen will u start selling? I can use it 4 breakfast den, with a dano slim milk.

onatisi:
Bros ,u try but change ur concept . The market is saturated with this idea,come up with something different that stands u out of the crowd and which will give u a specific target market

investigator007:
Thanks all for the comments

Helena6:
Well done OP. You should consider having 2 types of packaging - the nylon/satchet/pillow pack (depending on the word you are familiar with) and then the PET cup. The satchet will be more affordable and can drive penetrative for you. Whereas, the PET can drive revenue but not volume for you.
My first instinct is that you may not be targeting same market segment as NESTLÉ. Focus on the low end market, your margin may be low but volume will be high.
In my opinion, you should consider changing your label soon,the colours are dull and this brand will/may be lost in the market (the clutter in our markets is increasing)

Pavore9:
Also look into Amaranth.

Pavore9:
I can relate to your product because it is very common in stores here in Kenya. It is locally called uji porridge. It is different mix but l have a preference for Farm Uji Wimbi which is mix of Finger millet, Sorghum, Soyabeans and groundnut. There are those with rice, sweet potatoes, wheat, banana, barley in their mix.

A kilo pack of it sells for 80ksh-100ksh (N160-N200 CBN rate). Kenyans prepares it as thus: water is boiled in a pot while a paste is made mixing the combined flour with lukewarm water, then add the paste to the boiling water and keep stirring till it thickens and brown. It is cooked for 10mins under moderate heat until thickens, then add water to lighten it and leave to boil for an extra minute but since l have the intention of it coming out as pap, l don't add water, it end ups like pap for me but Kenyans make theirs light and some do squeeze lemon into theirs and served in mugs with sugar provided.

My own ends up thick and brown as if l added Bournvita or Milo , I then add sugar and fresh milk and eat it with beans or fried sweet potatoes.

A kilo stays in my kitchen for months because of its long shelf life and I make about 12 "pap" servings from one kilo. I have thought of this as an enterprise that can be introduce into the Nigerian market as this is very hygienic and "pap" only when you want.

Pictures (not mine) of how it turns out.

teekem:
Can d old one I have still work ?

edygistvilla:
Most people would agree that the idea of speaking in front of large groups of people can be terrifying, and so we tend to avoid it whenever possible. There are times, however, when we are faced with the task and there's no running away: we must say a few words. The following is a template for success which you can use when it's your turn to speak, in just about any type of gathering, formal or informal.

1. The Greeting

"Good..."

The greeting is the easy part. You begin by simply wishing your audience a good morning, afternoon, evening, or whatever time of day it is. **Good* evening everybody...*

2. State the Event

"As we all know..."

The second part is also very easy: You simply state the obvious and remind everybody what the purpose of the event or celebration is, and what you're all doing there. **As we all know,* we're here to celebrate the marriage of John and Kate, and to show them our support as they begin their journey of love and life together...* Now you've got the ball rolling, and the words are coming out easily. You look like you know what you're doing up there, and people are listening. So now, it's time to....

3. Establish Common Ground

"We've all..."

It's important to include your audience as part of the message you're delivering. Talk about something both yourself and your audience can relate to regarding the event or celebration. **We've all* had the wonderful opportunity to get to know John and Kate and enjoy watching their love develop...*

4. State Why You're Speaking

"I..."

Include a personal account, or tell a brief story to let people know why you specifically are talking. What gives you the right to be speaking..? **I've* personally been very lucky to have John as a close friend of mine, and it's been quite amazing to watch how he's grown as a person, and couldn't be more pleased for him to have found someone like Kate to go about his life with...*

5. Call for Action

"So let's all..."

Finally, close your speech with a call for action. This lets everybody know that you're finished without you having to awkwardly say "That's it!" or "I'm finished, thank you"...that is how every weak speech is concluded and makes the audience uncomfortable. You should say something like **"So let's all* raise a glass to John and Kate, and wish them well. Cheers!" or, So Let's all give a big round of applause to Mark for the outstanding job he's done while working with the company"*

Obviously, there are many different ways these leading lines can be used, but if you can commit them to memory and be prepared to use them next time you might be asked to speak, you will let go of all fear and anxiety, and people will be SO impressed with your ability to get up and give a confident, fluent speech in front of a group of people, while looking like you didn't even have to prepare! Good luck, and happy public speaking!

FinanceNigeria:
Financing our future
By Kemi Adeosun

Writing this, my third article on the economy, I’m keenly aware that the question Nigerians want answered is: what is government doing to address our economic challenges? The first thing to state is that there are no quick fixes, but our strategy is clear and the expected outcomes are pretty compelling. Our immediate economic imperative is to provide a Keynesian stimulus to reflate the economy. The 2016 focus is underpinned by a desire to radically reposition Nigeria’s economy. This administration believes very strongly that the previous direction was far from optimal. We are pursuing a fresh direction consistent with our belief in building a resilient economy.

The strategy itself is worth reiterating. The 2016 Budget is being debt funded and the borrowings are targeted at the financing of capital projects to address the infrastructure deficit, create jobs and build the platform for optimisation of the non-oil economy that will see Nigeria prosper. To this end, we have commenced an aggressive programme of fiscal housekeeping: increasing revenues and reducing recurrent expenses. This will ensure that we move towards our objective of financing recurrent expenditure from revenue, rather than borrowing as obtained before now.

In addition, we have signalled through our financial decisions that we are moving away from oil. Government investment in oil will be limited. We are inviting private sector participation in the funding of cash calls for our Joint Ventures rather than tapping the Federation Account. This is guaranteed to improve our cash flow. As I have stated previously, oil is important but oil is not enough. Therefore, if faced with an option to invest borrowed funds in our railways or power or fund oil cash calls, we will strategically fund non-oil. This is in the knowledge that there are private sector solutions to the funding needed for oil, but few sources other than government for investment in physical infrastructure.

The debate about whether Nigeria should borrow is well intentioned and cannot be dismissed without careful analysis, given our antecedents as a nation. I am in agreement with those who argue that Nigeria should not borrow simply because its debt to GDP level is low enough to accommodate such borrowing. There must be a clear business case backed by justifiable benefits. I believe that Nigeria has such a case at the present time. Simply put, we need capital investment to grow our economy. At 13% debt to GDP, we compare favourably with the threshold of 30% for developing economies. Our low debt to GDP ratio is not exactly a positive attainment because it is accompanied by critically low level of infrastructure investment. It is actually a false economy. Low capital formation is a risk which, if uncorrected, hinders future economic growth and this is already evident.

Borrowing, as we propose, will increase debt to GDP to 16% and still leave us significantly lower than our peer group including Ghana at 70%, South Africa at 50% (2015) and Angola at 31% (2014). Appropriate levels of fiscal deficit have been used to grow many of the most successful global economies. As ours develops, our sources of revenue will grow, diversify, and become less susceptible to external shocks. Our need to borrow will reduce accordingly. It’s important to note that capital spending creates an asset, and this gives a return over time in the form of growth. Infrastructural projects such as rail and roads create jobs, generate taxes and stimulate further spending. This is the economic multiplier effect that capital spending brings. Therefore, while an increase in public spending may create a deficit in the short term, the resultant increase in productivity will lead to a higher rate of economic growth and greater tax revenues. According to the International Finance Corporation (IFC), for every one billion US dollars invested in infrastructure in developing economies, between 49,000 and 110,000 jobs are created.

Our borrowing policy will remain conservative and will see us access the lowest available funds, hence our decision to approach multilateral agencies in the first instance, for budget support at concessional rates as low as 1.5% per annum. We have also secured commitments from Export Credit Agencies that are tied to specific capital projects including key initiatives in power, transport and other infrastructure, and at semi-concessional rates. The balance will be sourced commercially to create a blended cost of capital that’s as low as possible. We are addressing the relatively high debt service to revenue ratio which saw 28.1% of our 2015 revenues devoted to debt. This will be done through a systematic restructuring of inherited debt portfolio into a profile that is aligned with our medium term outlook as well as an increase in our revenues.
Borrowing is not our primary focus. Increasing our Internally Generated Revenue is critical because it is sustainable; and because much of the funds collected went unremitted to Government – something we are tackling now. Our Revenue Team holds daily revenue sessions with MDAs during which clear targets are set and agreed; monitoring and evaluation are continuous. We are deploying cash-less revenue collection processes in our high earning agencies to ensure maximisation of our receipts. We are working through Treasury Single Account balances with a view to identifying monies that can potentially be used to fund the budget and reduce borrowing.

Other costly leakages are being blocked. We have completed a detailed review of tax and duty waivers and discovered that in some cases, Nigeria lost significant revenues and with limited benefits. We are set to begin consultations with stakeholders on a revised policy aligned with the best interests of Nigeria.

Furthermore, we are identifying funds that can be released from hitherto untapped sources, including idle and underutilised government assets that have commercial potential including real estate. To this end, Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) is to become a professionally operated Asset Manager, rather than a passive holder of government assets. It will be actively managed to ‘sweat’ Nigeria’s very valuable global asset portfolio. This will generate earnings and constitute additional budget funding.

Gradually and with the requisite safeguards, we will authorise the investment of part of the estimated N6Tn currently held in pension funds into key infrastructure that will provide workers with higher returns on their pension funds while enhancing capital formation and economic growth. Nigeria’s first ever Project Tied Infrastructure Bonds are being designed. These are novel structures that will see borrowings tied to specific revenue generating projects, bringing private sector financial discipline to the project structuring and delivery process, thereby improving value.
Our first quarter-planned release of N350Bn is ready and is sure to have significant impact, in addition to exploring opportunities to reduce contract prices. Our conditions for release of funds are clear and the mandate is a simple one: to define and agree the number of Nigerians to be engaged as a result of this funding. Priority will be given, without apology, to those creating jobs and opportunity for Nigerians. This level of investment, predominantly capital, exceeds the total capital spend for the whole of 2015 and the tempo will be sustained until the green shoots of recovery begin to appear.

John Maynard Keynes’ famous quote on fiscal stimulus - that when economies are depressed, “Government should pay one man to dig a hole and pay another to fill it back” - is an extreme example and suggests an economic benefit in seemingly pointless activity. In Nigeria’s case, the activity to be triggered will be a fully productive one. We will pay men and women to meet our critical needs in power, transport, housing, agriculture, solid minerals, health and education - and lay the foundation for a collective future that is more positive than our current situation may suggest.
One of Nigeria’s greatest strengths is the resilience of her people. Even beyond our shores it is widely acknowledged that if you can survive in Nigeria, you can thrive anywhere. Our ability to overcome obstacles and our ingenuity in exploiting opportunities, are legendary; our economic policy will ensure more of us succeed in creating wealth. There is sufficient diversity of opportunity which our capital investment can unlock. We will always celebrate the emergence of billionaires, of course, but we recognise that a thousand millionaires have greater fiscal impact. Therefore, where the number of private jets was touted in the past as a measure of success, we will take pride in the number of people lifted out of poverty, and the number of new jobs created.

The idea that Nigeria can succeed this time is, for some, unthinkable. But for those of us privileged to be part of this determinedly patriotic team led by President Muhammadu Buhari, it is and will be possible.

Mrs. Kemi Adeosun is the Honourable Minister of Finance, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Follow the Federal Ministry of Finance on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/FinanceNigeria

Like the Federal Ministry of Finance on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/FinanceNigeria/

culcid:
I believe any information that is on Nairaland has reached the whole Nigeria.
My Toyota corolla 2005 model was snatched at gun point on Monday night, 8:04 pm, 4/4/2016, along Omoku street, Dline Port Harcourt.
Four guys on mask, double crossed me with AK 47 an took the car away. I've used the car for only 8 days. No security , no tracker, still very neat.


The plate number is FST671EA

Chassis Number 2TIBR32E75C843506

Engine Number 80332981ZZ

Pls if you see any corolla in a suspicious transaction kindly call 08038143431 or 08132914733

I'm really heartbroken, any useful information will be appreciated.

I've attached the pictures before it was registered, also the rims have been covered.

989900:
As annoyingly repetitive as it may seem, we can't get out of this quagmire without addressing the below 'causes' -- even if we devalue the Naira to N1,000 to a Dollar!

1. Check excess liquidity and currency racketeering/fraud (see Henry Boyo's explanation. . . I have posted many stuffs about it previously), while promulgating industry revolutionizing monetary policies.

2. Amend our laws to draw in investors (use propaganda if need be).

3. Amend power generation and transmission laws to attract investors in that sector . . . do everything possible on earth and beyond to achieve at the least, 15 hours stable power supply averagely (this would catalyze industrial revolution, while reducing demand for refined pet. products).

4. Refineries -- we need all four gov't refineries, and tens of modular ones running since last decade -- until we stop the importation of refined petroleum products that eats up, up to 30-40% of our Forex, we are going no where!
We were bringing in hundreds of millions of dollars in the early 90s from refined products exports, right now, we should have colonized West Africa with NNPC products everywhere (refined products have no OPEC cap)!

5. Encourage exports, and local content.

Re: Senator Bruce: As much as I admire his vigor and enthusiasm about the whole 'buyNaija' awareness, it's just a fraction in the scheme of things!

While importing palm oil from the same Malaysia we introduced palm oil to, importing eggs from South Africa we fought and paid to liberate, importing rice from a politically unstable Thailand, or toothpicks from hell are all 'weirdos', they account for far less than what
importation of refined petroleum products cost us; then we have the importation of aircrafts and parts and servicing which costs us hundreds of millions of dollars annually -- but Bruce believes it's about our average $20-$50 shoes or bags, $100 phones, or what-not (roughly 10-20 percent of our forex demand), or about our cheap $5,000 cars which by the way generates income for customs when they 'land', while gov't and it's officials are actually the ones bringing the forex gulping machines (probably without paying custom duties).
NBS just released a report indicating between January 2010 - September 2015, we spent over N20 trillion (roughly $130 BILLION . . . 2014 dollar) on just importation of PMS, AGO, and DPK alone!
Same refined products we mine from our backyards, same refined products we were net exporters of (raking in millions of dollars from), 25 years ago! If this is not madness, what is?

Re: Ifeanyi Ubah: Though he is yet to disclose his so called "secret" or magic wand (but I guess it is: probably supporting the country's fuel import-consumption . . . probably for some while).

My own idea of bringing the dollar exchange rate to below N200 in say 3 months would be namely:

Stop the importation of refined products now and find alternative to how we survive without it -- it gulps 40% of our forex!

Crazy, right? However, we probably can (everyone's contribution and criticism would be helpful here), if the gov't is serious about it, and if it can carry the people along especially with the budding awareness of the demise of our economy.

1. Get the NNPC, special task forces, Armed forces, and the people on board as regards protecting the pipelines.

2. Get NNPC to make sure the refineries do not slouch again, rather, increasing in production.

3. Get the few trains we have working, and create an awareness on conserving fuel.

4. Provide very affordable mass transit buses, while encouraging car owners to shed usage, or re-introduce something similar to our old 'odd number/even number system' for cars that should have access to the road on particular days.

5. Provide gas, give free/cheap cylinders to boot if necessary.

6. Power: without fairly stable power supply it will be a difficult one. Fairly stable power reduces the need for PMS and AGO, reduces importation of generators and alternative power equipment.

7. Checkmate cross-border fuel smuggling.

8. Modular refineries: they can be imported and made operational in months.

9. Sell off some portion of gov't assets to foreign investors. #ppp

Additionals:

10. Encourage Nigerians overseas to invest back home.

11. Recover all debts, 'stolens', and 'accruables'.

12. Reduce gov't recurrent expenditure and buying local for all gov't purposes if available -- starting with them senator's cars, and presidential budget and travels.

13. Consider changing currency colors.

14. Agric exports.





If we can do all the above (sounds crazy though . . . desperate situation calls for desperate measures), our refined fuel consumption rate should drop to 'near' what NNPC can support, or at worst, greatly reduce importation of refined fuel by more than 60%. Then we "buynaija"; the Naira will firm up, and the CBN can probably tweak the exchange rate to gain say N2-N4/$, which will indicate a direction of positive purpose, causing the BM, hoarders, and racketeers to panic-sell their dollars, while the CBN tries its best to enforce and enhance/support a strict range for bank rates.

Devaluation in our case', is a symptomatic approach to a systematic malady: underlying causes won't be cured!
It's like taking paracetamol as a curative for stage 4 cancer -- it 'probably' might make your pain dissipate (very likely it won't), but just for a very little while.

*Everyone's contribution and criticism would be helpful here.

DailyPost:
Not relenting in his Agricultural revolution which is sweeping around Anambra state, Governor Willie Obiano on Thursday flagged-off the farming season for Delfarm Anambra Songhai farming season at Igbariam.

Flagging off the farming season, Obiano attributed the success of investments in the state especially in the area of Agriculture to the security the state enjoys. He affirmed that his administration has been doing well in the Agricultural sector. According to him, the state has done about 8 exports of vegetables to London. He urged the youths in the state to register with the ministry of Agriculture as the wave of employment in the state are mainly concentrated in the ministry ,noting that over 500 training opportunities in area of agriculture await them at Ngbakwu.

Obiano stated that the state this project will create about 500direct and indirect jobs for the youths of the state especially the youths from Anambra east area.He further said that this project has capacity of increasing the Internally generated revenue of the state drastically." Soon Anambra will become the biggest producer of rice in Nigeria". He cited the reason for the choice of Anambra East as the site for the farms as connected with the arable and expanse of lands in the region. He posited that the farm will bring a lot of food and employment to the people of the state, further calling on investors to come and invest in the state. Also He acknowledged that the state has attracted investment worth 4.1b dollars so far in the state, testifying that 40% of the all the investment are in agricultural sector, describing agriculture as a very lucrative and viable means of economic development and wealth creation.

Earlier in his remark, the Chairman, Delfarm Projects Limited, Dr. Emmanuel Egbogah stated that the project is the first fully integrated agribusiness in Anambra state by the state government. He posited that the project fits well into the development vision and mission of the state government whose agenda is to make Anambra state completely self-sufficient in Agricultural food farming and production in the short term.

Dr. Egbogah disclosed that the farm project will engage in full value chain food production to include Animal husbandry, poultry, aquaculture (for diverse fish production), and agricultural cash crops such as sorghum, soya beans, cassava, rice. According to him, "It will also include processing centers and technical production centers. He stated that the project will be developed in about 2000 hectares of four specialized farms across the state's 3 senatorial zones with the mother farm located in 398 hectares of land at Igbariam".

He called on major food and beverage outlets like shop rite, SABMiller and other purveyors of fine quality foods and drinks to off take the super quality farm produce for better quality delivery to their consumers.

In their separate remarks, the Chairman of ANSIPPA HRH Igwe Cyril Enweze and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Agriculture, Mike Obuekwe commended the governor on his commitment in the Agric sector and the massive revolution taking place in the sector. They emphasized that the project will facilitate massive job creation and food production.

The Founder and Director, Songhai Regional Center, Rev. Fr. Prof. Godfrey Nzamujo pointed that the state in no distant time through the partnership will be a state to reckon with as far as Agriculture is concerned

Source http://www.viviangist.com/gov-obiano-flags-off-farming-season-for-delfarm-anambra-songhai-project

UrennaNkoli:
I was opportuned to have a taste of the 80's and 90's and I must confess the 90's still remains the best ever. In fact, anytime I remember the 90's , I feel nostalgic and wish I could roll back the hands of time . Many will argue that the 80's was the best decade ever, some will tell you its the 70's, some will go for the 60's, some the 50's some will even go for the 2000's . For me , the 90's beats these decades hands down and here goes my reasons...

THE MUSIC
The 90's was no doubt the era of good and splendid music. From hiphop to rap to soul and even rock. Just have a look at foreign masterpiece like Snoop Dogg's who am I (Whats my name), The notorious BIG Juicy,https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/biggie-crown.jpg Dr dre's (Still dre), Lauryn Hill's Doo Woop ( That thang) . These were classic songs I still even listen to till today. Even coming back home to songs like Seyi Sodunmu's Love me jejehttps://net.tooxclusive.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Seyi-Sodimu.jpg, to the Fela Kuti'shttps://venturesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Fela-Kuti.png, Iyogogo and many more. Unlike the crap kids listen to today .. I mean the davido's wizkid or wizboy whatever his name his , sean tizzle, olamide who sings like nothing but a danfo thug... Music is honestly what it ought to be and what it used to be.

The politics
Oh this was a great era of politics both home and abroad. You turn on your transistor only to hear of a coup attempted by Major Gideon Orka,https://www.informationng.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Sani-Abacha.jpg or one by Gen Sani Abacha, or the MKO Abiola saga and lots more. Newspaper were more fun to read then, any beer palour you go then, it was 90% sure it will be politics they are arguing about . Unlike today, all we read on the news is about an accident that happened on and expressway or Buhari travelling to china for one meeting , Obasanjo this, yar' adua that. Politics is going down the drain in today's Nigeria. Even crossing boarders and going foreign, you hear of the Rodney King verdict and L.A. riots tear the nation apart, OJ Simpson chase, Bill Clinton, and thousands more. Comm'on , this was an era that can never be rivaled .

The Movies
Titanic, The good fellas, The lion king, con air, brave heart, dumb and dumber, My own private Idaho, white men can't jump, Billie Madison... Time can't just permit me to mention them all. Even Nigerian movies were classical then. I still have collection of movies like living in bondage, Nneka the pretty serpent, blood money, issakaba, domitila and lots more. Today, I am extremely ashamed of Nollywood as it can be very embarrassing to watch. All they do now is knockbusters with little funds with the aim of making useless profit. You see films in Nollywood of today like spidergirl[img]http://2.bp..com/-l6Hz7fw876c/VcnOFXAU0QI/AAAAAAAAAP4/0t007qTIN8Q/s320/spider%2Bgirl.jpg[/img] ,. I recently saw a movie one day titled ''I Want To Suck Your Blood''. I really laughed out loud. Nollywood is going down the drain.

The Fashion
Nothing just beats the fashion of the 90's. From the Alexander McQueen spring of 1997 to the Azzedine Alaïa shows of 1991 to calvin klein spring 1994 to the Balenciaga spring. The afro hair styles people carry about just blended with the atmosphere. Even here in Nigeria, fashion was at its peak and its best. People like Miss Sade Thomas, the great fashion designer were awesome https://41.media.tumblr.com/347356fcbd80c1d35297f13cda5d9f31/tumblr_mlq9brrhZp1s0i6geo1_400.jpg https://40.media.tumblr.com/b9142e160f25a8f1926e079e96658648/tumblr_mjqdkgwxJ01s0i6geo1_r1_400.jpg https://40.media.tumblr.com/a2c6334569c2fe49dcb588cf5e2b4f5d/tumblr_mizvklv7LN1s0i6geo1_400.jpg.

The Education
You can't argue with me that the quality of education of this era wasn't at its best. Although I must confess this started from era beyond. Today, we see young Nigerians wriggling their way through the university just to earn a degree. Many parents don't even care about their children's future anymore. They rather prefer to see them in the streets hawking pepper and okra and make money for them .

The Technology
The 90's really was an era of technology that really changed our lives for good. These technologies really layed the platform for today's technology From the walkman, to the nintendo's gameboy, to kids cruising around in barbie jeeps to pagers (I honestly prefer this to cell phones ) also, who will ever forget the ever green play station 1, Apples Imac G3 Comm' on, https://www.defeatboredom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/palm-pilot-1000-640x536.jpg https://www.defeatboredom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Discman_D121-640x713.jpg https://www.defeatboredom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/game-boy-color-640x480.jpg https://www.defeatboredom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/playstation.jpg

The Sports
The 90's was obviously an era of great sport moments. From basketball, to cricket, to boxing , athletics etc Who will ever forget the '94 olympics where Nigeria clinched gold, soccer for example also saw the establishment of many great players like Gheorghe Hagi, Rivaldo, Ze roberto, Van Basten, lotar Mathaus, Baggio, Ronaldo, Figo, Romario and lots more. Even on our home turf, we had the likes of yekini,https://cdn.dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Rashidi-Yekini1-300x201.jpg Kanuhttps://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/635000/images/_639564_kanu300.jpg George Finidi https://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/football_pics/7121finidi-betis.jpgand co. They made football ore fun to watch unlike the Mikels, Iwobi's of today

The Slang
The 90's was an er of slangs. I just can mention them all.... 'Sup, b Bangin'/Slammin Crib ,Bama ,Ghetto, Shiznit, Whassup...Time just can't permit me to mention them all.

I tasted both the 80's and 90's and I must confess its just the best decade ever. Far better than the 80's, 70's 60's 50's and beyond. Even better than the 2000's for our newer generation of kids

Feel free to add yours.

GurlFriend:
I'm pretty sure the war wouldn't have dragged on for so long if the British had taken the Chief up on his offer...

cc lalasticlala

Chillisauce:
Clean his ear? Burghhhh

Pls continue cleaning the ear jor. When he started it you didn't ask for him to say pls because maybe to be iyawo dey sweet you
You go see Oba . É never start
You berra start protesting in twitter so senate will look at the equality bill. If not, Na to clean ear forever and ever.

As per topic...weird stuff? I can't relate sha.
Ok
He prefers me scratch-rub his back. You see goose pimple over his body. I cant see why his hands cant reach his back.
One day I was tired he said pls chilli could you help scratchRub the back. I told him to use the style goats uses to scratch theirs
Just go to the wall and do your thing. Na cuisson him use chase me comot for house.
But anyway, as kids became bigger. Na their job now. See them doing back-scratching galore.

One day he ask for the scratchRub again so I bought this scratch that looks like a hand .plastic hand for him as a valentine gift.


OP. Go get fowl feather ..choke am for him ear. If he screams. Say sorry. Choke it again. Keep choking it until he gives up on you
That's the only way to escape this una own kind of bonding